Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 60768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Then the realization hits like a punch to the gut.
I know this system.
The encryption signatures, the packet structure, the way the access logs are layered. This is Maddox Security’s core network. The one that protects every client they’ve ever taken on. Medical records, financials, private security feeds for people who paid them to keep them safe. If I keep going, I’ll be handing Serafina the keys to burn it all down.
My fingers freeze on the keys. I shove the chair back and stand up fast. “I can’t fucking do this.”
Orchid’s eyebrows shoot up. “What?”
“I said I can’t do it.” I gesture at the screen where lines of code still scroll. “This is Maddox Security. Their entire system. If I crack it, every client they protect gets exposed. Medical data, locations, safe houses, everything. I’m not handing that over to Serafina so she can sell it or burn it or whatever the fuck she plans to do with it.”
Orchid steps closer, voice dropping. “You don’t have a choice, Poe. Your sister—”
“I know what’s at stake,” I cut in, anger rising hot and fast. “But I’m not destroying everything Maddox built. Not like this. What the hell does Serafina even want with this info? You’re her little pitbull enforcer. You’ve got to know something.”
She crosses her arms tighter, jaw tight. “I… I don’t know. And even if I did, it wouldn’t change anything. My job is to make sure you deliver.”
“Bullshit.” I move around the desk until we’re face to face, close enough that I can see the faint flush creeping up her neck. “You stand there pretending to be the good little soldier, but you don’t even know what your boss is really into. You just follow orders and look the other way while people get hurt. Really fucking nice.”
Her eyes flash. “Everybody does things for a reason, Poe. You of all people should understand that.”
“Yeah?” I take another step, backing her up until her hips hit the edge of the desk. “Then what is yours? Why are you really here? Why are you keeping me locked up like this when you look at me like you want something completely different?”
The air between us thickens. Her breathing quickens, chest rising and falling inches from mine. I can smell her soap again, that clean floral scent mixed with the heat coming off her skin. Her gaze drops to my mouth for half a second before snapping back up.
We’re so close now. Close enough that one small movement would close the gap. Close enough that I can feel the warmth of her breath against my lips.
God, I want to kiss her. I want to lift her onto the desk, slide my hands under that tank top, and find out if she tastes as good as she looks. I want to hear her say my name like she means it instead of like an order.
Orchid’s tongue darts out to wet her bottom lip. Her hands come up, hovering like she can’t decide whether to push me away or pull me closer.
For one charged second, the whole world narrows to the space between us.
Then she exhales shakily and turns her face slightly away. “We can’t do this.”
But she doesn’t move.
I stay right where I am, heart hammering, every inch of me aware of her. “Tell me your reason, Orchid. Tell me why you’re really doing this and maybe I’ll sit back down and finish what Serafina wants.”
She looks back at me, eyes dark and conflicted. Our mouths are so close I can almost taste her.
The tension stretches tight enough to snap.
And for the first time since this whole nightmare started, I’m not sure which one of us is going to break first.
TWELVE
ORCHID
The tension in the office hangs so thick I can barely breathe. Poe’s still standing way too close, his bare chest rising and falling with each frustrated breath, eyes locked on mine like he’s trying to see straight through every wall I have built. My back is pressed against the desk, hands gripping the edge so I don’t do something stupid like reach for him.
I’m not sure about this assignment anymore.
Not sure about anything, really.
I’ve been telling myself for weeks that this is just another job. Keep Poe in line, make him deliver the hack, get what I need from Serafina and move on. But somewhere between the pool party and that late-night moment in the kitchen, things have shifted. I keep thinking about Enley’s small voice on the phone, how scared she sounded. I keep remembering the way Poe’s face softened when he talked to her. I don’t trust John with her. I don’t trust Serafina either. Both of them would burn the girl alive if it got them one step closer to whatever prize they’re chasing.
And yet here I am, still playing my part.